San Diego County Approves $5.8 Million Plan to Combat Tijuana River Sewage Pollution
San Diego County supervisors have approved a $5.8 million plan to address cross-border sewage pollution from the Tijuana River. The plan includes building a wastewater treatment system on the U.S. side and replacing aging underground pipes along Saturn Boulevard in…
San Diego, CA, September 2, 2026 — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has greenlit a $5.8 million initiative aimed at mitigating the persistent issue of cross-border sewage pollution originating from the Tijuana River. This plan seeks to bolster efforts to protect public health and the local environment from contaminated water flows that frequently impact the region.
The approved plan outlines a two-pronged approach. A significant component involves the construction of a new wastewater treatment system situated on the U.S. side of the border. This facility is intended to process and treat sewage before it can further contaminate local waterways and beaches.
In addition to the new treatment infrastructure, the initiative also includes critical upgrades to existing underground pipe networks. Specifically, aging pipes along Saturn Boulevard in Imperial Beach are slated for replacement. These aging pipes have been identified as potential sources of leaks and failures, contributing to the release of untreated sewage into the environment.
The $5.8 million investment signifies a commitment by San Diego County supervisors to address the transboundary pollution challenges posed by the Tijuana River. The Tijuana River flows from Mexico into the United States, carrying with it a variety of pollutants, including raw sewage, which has historically led to closures of beaches and posed risks to public health and ecosystems in the San Diego border region.
The precise timeline for the commencement and completion of these projects, as well as the specific contractors involved, was not detailed in the information available. However, the stated goals of the plan are clear: to enhance wastewater management capabilities and infrastructure on the U.S. side, thereby reducing the impact of pollution from the Tijuana River on the health of residents and the vitality of local environments.
Story summarized from the original created by Por la redacción on timesofsandiego.com, see more information here.
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